COM 0549.001 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO NEGOTIATE A [~E~AR] FIVE-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR THE USE OF 120 ACRES OF COUNTY LAND AT KOHOLALELE (TMK 4-2-5:001) IN PA`AUILO, HAWAII TO CONDUCT BIOFUEL CROP EXPERIMENTATION. WHEREAS, the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), chapter 2, article 19, section 2-120(a)(2) provides that the Council of the County of Hawaii may, by resolution approved by a majority of its members, direct the finance director to negotiate the lease of real property to governments or governmental agencies at such rentals and on such terms and conditions as deemed proper; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii owns the 1,040 acre parcel bordering Koholalele Gulch in Pa`auilo, Hawaii (TMK 4-2-5:001); and WHEREAS, on April 17, 2007 Dr. William Steiner, Dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources gave a presentation to the Human Services and Economic Development Committee, chaired by Council Member Emily I. Naeole, regarding research into the feasibility of growing various tropical plants and trees for biofuel production in Hawaii County; and WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management is prepared to plant various biofuel crops to determine which crops will produce the highest yields in various elevations and soil types on Hawaii Island; and WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources has identified 120 acres located within the Koholalele property that would be ideal for the planting of these test crops; and WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management have agreed that there will be no planting of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) on this property; and WHEREAS, the development of a strong biofuel crop would provide an opportunity to utilize the now fallow former sugar cane land in the County of Hawaii for agricultural production; and WHEREAS, this new agricultural venture would allow Hawaii Island to expand its agricultural roots while stimulating the economy and allowing Hawaii to become self-sustaining in meeting its energy needs; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii County Council has approved infrastructure upgrades for the Pu`uanahulu landfill which allows for composting and biofuel production facilities to be constructed; and ,